A SCOTTISH software specialist is expending into Europe after successfully completing trials with a utility company in Germany.
The distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) developed by Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) is already adding around 1.3GW of renewable energy, battery storage and flexibility services to global electricity grids.
In the past, coal and gas-fired power stations were connected to the main national transmission network with their electricity fed down into local distribution networks.
Now, many renewable energy generators connect to distribution networks, meaning power flows in both directions on the grid, triggering the need for distribution system operators (DSOs) to implement new forms of control and system flexibility.
SGS’s German trial demonstrated “dynamic curtailment”, where very small amounts of electricity produced by renewable energy generators like wind farms or solar parks is reduced if too much power is pumped into the grid.
SGS co-founder, Alan Gooding, will lead the expansion as European general manager, in addition to his responsibilities as UK general manager
Gooding said: “The time is right for the move: the need exists, regulation is enabling it, the technology is mature and proven, and – most importantly – we see customer pull.
“Only last week we hosted a European DSO in the UK, running through the use cases that can be supported by our products and how they deliver value to DSOs.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here